By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Michael D.N. Bollenbacher

WARSAW — A Bremen man will serve a five-year sentence locally for child neglect and drug use.

Michael D.N. Bollenbacher, 35, 903 N. Center St. No. 9, Bremen, was charged with neglect of a dependent and possession of methamphetamine, both level 6 felonies. A child molesting charge initially filed in the case was dismissed.

Bollenbacher was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, March 14.

On Aug. 19, 2020, a child said they were asleep when they were inappropriately touched by Bollenbacher.

The morning after the incident, Bollenbacher apologized to the child and said he thought they were someone else and that he was “messed up.” The child said they understood Bollenbacher saying he was “messed up” as being under the influence of drugs. The child also said they had seen methamphetamine in the residence before and had knowledge of Bollenbacher’s methamphetamine use.

On Aug. 27, 2020, a Kosciusko County officer spoke with Bollenbacher. In the interview, Bollenbacher admitted to getting into bed with the child and said he may have kissed the child’s neck and touched their stomach. Bollenbacher said he was under the influence of drugs and believed he was in bed with his wife.

In the interview, Bollenbacher also admitted to relapsing on methamphetamine. A drug screen following the interview returned a positive result for methamphetamine, amphetamine and THC.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney John Barrett said after depositions and further investigation, Bollenbacher pled guilty to the two felonies he did commit.

For each count, Special Judge Karen Springer sentenced Bollenbacher to 2 1/2 years in the Kosciusko County Jail. Both counts will be served consecutively. With the methamphetamine possession count, six months of the sentence were ordered executed and two years were suspended on probation.

In total, Bollenbacher received a five-year jail sentence, with three years executed and two years on probation. Bollenbacher has been accepted into the county’s work release program.

A no-contact order between Bollenbacher and the child involved in this case remains in effect.

After the sentencing, Bollenbacher was remanded into custody.